Procedure for dental aesthetic analysis of the smile area and for facilitating the identification of dental aesthetic treatments

Abstract

The invention is a method for the aesthetic analysis of the teeth in the smile area, suited to facilitate the identification of aesthetic dental treatments and including: photographic examination of the patient's teeth; calibration of the images as a function of certain measures taken; consistency check of the data to detect and limit errors due to incorrect measurements; identification on the calibrated images of a defined set of reference points; automatic analysis and parametrization of the images with respect to the reference points; determination of possible treatments suited to achieve the desired aesthetic improvement; and display and/or print representation of the resulting possible treatments.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of electronic analysis of teeth in a smile area, suited to facilitate identification of aesthetic dental treatments, comprising:
 performing a photographic examination of a patient's teeth according to an established series of poses and shots to generate digital images; 
 electronically calibrating said digital images as a function of predetermined measures taken directly on the patient's teeth and/or face; 
 performing a computer-assisted analysis of consistency of input data, such to intercept and limit errors due to incorrect measurements of actual data on the patient's teeth and/or face in order to calibrate the digital images; 
 identifying, on said calibrated images, a defined set of characteristic reference points called landmarks or reference points and displaying said characteristic reference points on a computer display; 
 causing an automatic electronic analysis and parameterization of said digital images, either individually or all together, with reference to said characteristic reference points as a function of significant parameters commonly recognized as decisive for aesthetic appearance of teeth; 
 determining possible treatments to achieve a desired aesthetic improvement, parameter by parameter, with appropriate logical and numerical responses; 
 performing a two- or three-dimensional electronic simulation of the patient's teeth that includes the desired aesthetic improvement; and 
 screening and/or printing a complete report of said possible treatments. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein poses and shots of the photographic examination comprise one or more of the following:
 mouth with teeth closed; 
 left and right lateral view of mouth with teeth closed; 
 upper and lower teeth; 
 occlusal surface; 
 smile with teeth closed; 
 view of mouth forming phoneme “f” or “v”; 
 mouth and base of nose with a full smile; 
 face with open smile; 
 face with smile with teeth closed; 
 profile of smile with teeth closed; 
 face with lips closed; 
 profile with lips closed; 
 three quarters of face with smile with teeth closed; 
 mouth with teeth closed in head-to-head; 
 lateral tele-X-ray; 
 view of mouth forming phoneme I or E; 
 lips relaxed; 
 orthopantomography image; 
 juxta-gingival X-ray image; or 
 image to scale with colors. 
 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of electronically calibrating said digital images comprises processing measures including: h 11 , L 11 , h 21 , L 22 , L 13 , L 23 , h 41 , L 41 , base of nose, right pupil, left pupil, length of nose, or helix tragus. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of identifying possible final result obtainable with identified treatments by determining a graphic and text summary of possible treatments recommended to achieve a desired aesthetic improvement with a graphic support and synthetic and schematic descriptions of critical treatments. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of computer-assisted analyzing results of parameters already calculated in order to synthesize ideal measures of the teeth involved in a smile. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of employing an algorithm, which synthesizes ideal dental measures and simulates human reasoning of an experienced professional in processing and synthesizing one or more artistic perceptions, critical experience, analysis of cephalometric and dental proportions, or critical analysis of the aesthetic parameters already calculated, starting from said images and initial inputs. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing an electronic graphic representation of measures resulting from the analysis, comparing obtained data in an immediate way with original data and allowing computer-assisted interactive modification of symmetry or of height of the teeth and a consequent relationship with the teeth using a computer cursor on a display with a graduated scale, with which a user can balance, within certain limits, height of central incisors, wherein a movement of the computer cursor changes an automatic calculation of measures, interfering with a synthesis algorithm in order to recalculate a result regarding all the teeth depending on the interactive modification. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a controlled and authorized sharing of information, whether of the digital images or anatomical measures, with other specialized professionals and/or dental technicians, both for preparation of corrective devices and/or prostheses, and to entrust execution of some steps of the method to other organizations. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing instruments suited to determine linear, angular, or curved measures, or measures of any other nature, on the calibrated images. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of enabling a learning of basics for professional training oriented toward cosmetic dentistry through guided descriptions of reference images and user guides with auto scroll on a computer display for each parameter and literature reviews related to each parameter or group of parameters. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of using data resulting from processing to edit by photo-retouching with computer applications on the images of the patient being examined. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of using the edited digital images to perform thereon respectively measurements and analysis of the parameters of a smile. 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing obtained data as digital files of two-dimensional images and/or three-dimensional shapes catalogued by similar values, wherein said digital files of two-dimensional images and/or three-dimensional shapes are arranged to be supplemented with additional information by a professional user.